Gen 14:14, “When
Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his
household and went in pursuit as
far as Dan.”

Dear
brothers and sisters,

Loving greetings in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Today let us meditate about the importance of helpingone
another in the time of their need.Here we read about a good example of love, concern and care. We know
earlier Abraham and Lotwere
living together and later because of the constant frictions among their
servants as in Gen 13:6 & 7, “But the land could not
support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so
great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot.”So, they have to separate in peace as Abraham advised in different
directions in search of good water for their cattle as in Gen 13:8, “So
Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have
any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.”

Departing
from good spiritual people for some earthly benefit is not good.After Lot
departed from Abraham there came a big crisis in his life. The four
different kings together came against the Sodom Gomorrah, where Lot was
living and taken all the inhabitants as their captive along with their
things as in Gen 14:11 & 12, “The four kings seized all
the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they
went away.They also carried
off Abram's nephew Lot, family and all his possessions, since he was
living in Sodom.”Some how one of the servants escaped
from there and conveyed the news to Abraham. That is the grace of God.

The bible
says in Prov 17:17, “A friend loves you
all the time, and a brother helps in
time of trouble.” Immediately without wasting any time Abraham
gathered all the men servants who worked in his house, around 318 of them,
and went against the four kings and their army. Usually, no one will dare
to do such a thing, by going against the kings and their armies.If Lot
is living along with Abraham, he was bound to help him in such a situation.But here, Lot
has left him long back and living in another place, so Abraham could have
easily given an excuse for not protecting or rescuing his relative. But he
had a genuine love and concern for his relative, though he had left him on
his own free will and gone away Abraham could not ignore him when he was in
real trouble.He really risked
his own life to free Lot and his family. Because
of that God helped him to free Lot and all his household things as in Gen
14:16, “He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and
the other people.”There
is a saying in English we use to say “a friend in need is a friend indeed” thus we have to help
one another to build the kingdom
of God.

May the lord help each one of us today to
have some similar concern for our brothers and that we may help those who
are in danger of their life by praying for them and helping them in the real
time of their need.Amen.

Mat 5:40 to 48; “And if someone wants
to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone
forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks
you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You
have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But
I tell you: Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father
in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends
rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love
you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing
that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than
others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.”

Decision
To Make

Mat 5:46 & 47, “If you love those
who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors
doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more
than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Things To
Thank God

Psa 8:2, “From the lips of children and infants you have
ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the
avenger.”